VA Now Pays Reproductive Assistance (IVF) Costs for Injured Veterans

– Eric Gang, October 18th 2016

Are you a veteran who suffered a reproductive injury during service? Here’s some positive news:

Veterans who have suffered brain, spinal cord or reproductive organ damage during service are finally eligible for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) benefits after a 24-year ban on Veterans’ Affairs Department (VA) funding for reproductive assistance. This temporary legislative breakthrough means a marked improvement in quality of life for thousands of veterans who previously could not collect reproductive assistance benefits.

If the VA has denied your claim for reproductive assistance, don’t give up. Despite resistance from religious extremists and others, Senator Patty Murray has been fighting for veterans’ rights to reproductive assistance, and winning. With some expert assistance, your chances for successful appeal are at an all-time high.

Loss of Reproductive Ability Can Lead to Debilitating Depression

As a veterans’ disability benefits lawyer, I have worked with many disabled veterans who have lost their ability to conceive naturally as a result of service-related injury. The inability to reproduce has wide ranging and devastating effects on veterans’ lives.

Female veterans who have undergone service-related hysterectomies and male veterans who have suffered debilitating genitourinary injuries often develop serious depression. The deterioration of the veteran’s mental health can mean inability to maintain employment, drug and alcohol abuse, even suicide.

Approximately 1,000 to 2,000 injured veterans are in need of reproductive services. Many of these American heroes cannot afford the high cost of reproductive assistance technology. A single IVF treatment can cost over $12,000, and successful IVF procedures often require several attempts, totaling more than $30,000.

Religious Extremists Continue to Fight Veteran IVF Benefits

Part of the difficulty in funding IVF for veterans comes from religious extremists. A June 2016 Seattle Times editorial suggests one reason for the decline to permanently lift a 24-year Congressional ban on VA IVF funding could be the conservative Family Research Council, a fierce group of religious activists who are fighting to prevent the federal government from providing reproductive services costs. The activists argue that IVF technology leads to destruction of fertilized embryos.

“Our country makes a promise to veterans to take care of them long after their service is over. Yet for more than 20 years, because of politicians’ personal beliefs, this country has denied veterans with service-related injuries the one thing that could help them realize their dreams of having a family,” Senator Murray said.

“I was encouraged to see so many Republicans join Democrats earlier this year to line up in support of my provision—and with this deal announced today, I’m now more encouraged than ever that Congress will do the right thing for our military families, and finally allow the VA to cover the cost of fertility services.”

Kudos to Senator Murray

We applaud Senator Murray and her efforts in giving injured veterans the opportunity to start a family and hope for a better future. The provision of reproductive benefits allows veterans to improve their quality of life.

If you or a family member has suffered a reproductive injury during service, we suggest you contact our experienced veterans’ disability benefits law firm. Our team of medical and legal experts will help you prepare a solid claim for VA reproductive assistance benefits.

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Eric A. Gang, Esq. is a veterans’ disability attorney who represents disabled veterans nationwide in their appeals for VA disability benefits. He has litigated over 500 appeals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and has recovered millions of dollars in retroactive benefits for disabled veterans. His work has been mentioned in media outlets across the country. He publishes and lectures widely in the area of veterans benefits. You can reach him at (888) 878-9350 or www.veteransdisabilityinfo.com.